Be a guardian home

Becoming a guardian home can be an excellent way to have a top-quality dog as your family pet. Here at River's Edge Labradoodles, we do not believe in the long term kenneling of our dogs (or ANY dog for that matter). We are not a kennel breeder and believe dogs raised and kept in kennels often do not get the the proper socialization and stimulation that is needed for them to become well balanced, happy pups. Therefore, we like to place our upcoming breeding dogs in their forever homes as puppies with amazing and qualified families, while we retain legal ownership and breeding rights of that dog for a specified period of time.

What exactly does this mean? It means that the dog lives with you as your family dog! You pay for all of the dog's regular health maintenance (annual exams and vaccinations as set forth by breeder), food, grooming and other expenses. We pay for the genetic health testing required fo rour breeding dogs in addition to all breeding expenses. Some of these expenses include hip and elbow films, annual or semi-annual eye checks, screening for multiple genetic illnesses and various other tests associated with the breeding of/or whelping. When the dog completes her breeding obligations you are given permission to neuter or spay the dog, at your own expense, providing proof to Rivers Edge that this has been completed, and the dog comes home to enjoy the wonderful life you have provided for her since puppyhood, legal ownership will then be transferred to you! 

There are many things that Guardian Families need to consider; females must leave their families to whelp puppies in our home and stay there until puppies are weaned (typically 7 weeks) and Mama is healthy enough to go home. Guardians of females sometimes have to deal with several heat cycles, keeping their girl extra protected from well-meaning gentlemen callers when she is in season. The Guardian family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle starting and communicate  with us immediately to endure successful breeding. 

Guardian Programs provide benefits for the Guardian Family:

• Guardian Families have a "pick of the litter" puppy, chosen and named by the breeder
• Guardian Families have additional information as to the overall health of the dog
• Guardian Families receive ongoing support and training directing from the breeder for their dog
• Guardian Families can schedule trips during breedings/whelpings without worry or cost of kenneling their pets or hiring a dog sitter

Guardian Programs provide excellent benefits for the dog! 

• The dog doesn't need to be re-homed as an adult after retiring
• The dogs are well socialized and in stable, loving home environments
• the dogs are well-loved and cherished family members

There are a few requirements for providing a Guardian Home for one of our dogs:

• Guardians must have some previous dog experience
• Guardians must NEVER strike the dog with an object or their hand as a form of discipline
• Guardians must live in a house with a fully fenced yard
• Guardians must keep the dog on a leash when outside unless the dog is in a fenced area (fully fenced "off leash" facilities are okay)
• Guardians must use BAXTER & Bella online dog training
• Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized to adults 
• Guardians must live within one hour of Hermiston, Oregon - anything further than one hour will be the responsibility of the guardian
• Have dogs professionally groomed every 7 weeks to breeders specified look at the guardians expense
• Feed dog Steve's Real RAW Food and other dietary needs set forth by River's Edge

Female dogs go into heat approximately every 6 months (some take a little longer). Depending on River's Edge breeding schedule the breeding female may be bred back to back or skip a cycle. When it is time for Mama to have her puppies she will come and stay with us at Rivers Edge where she will stay until puppies are weaned. 

If you're interested in becoming a guardian family fill out the puppy application and contact us! The application is for the purpose of choosing the perfect guardian home for our breeding dogs. Before filling out the application please make sure that you understand and agree to everything that is listed above. Once the application is filled out we will review the application and let you know if and when we will have a match for you. 

Guardian families are the helping to promote the "face" of River's Edge Labradoodles and the breed as a whole; the training, the grooming, and the reflection of a well mannered and well groomed Australian Labradoodle are what our families have to look forward to as the best dog ever!